The trucking industry has changed drastically since the deregulation of the Interstate Commerce Commission in the 1980s. Yet, some technology providers have stayed in the same lanes.
When trucking entered a free market economy, most fleets and software companies focused on irregular route truckload operations with dry van, flatbed, and refrigerated freight. Niche markets like liquid bulk and tanker fleet operations were neglected or set aside for technology innovation
In 2024, a paradigm shift finally occurred when TrueTMS introduced TrueLiquid. This purpose-built transportation management platform was designed from the ground up for the rapidly evolving segment of bulk liquid and fuel haulers.
By untethering these specialized fleets from legacy and outdated software versions, TrueLiquid saves them significant time and money by enabling automated, data-driven processes and faster, more intelligent decisions.
Let’s explore five breakthrough capabilities of TrueLiquid that give tanker fleets greater control and visibility of mission-critical processes.
Intuitive Interface
Traditional TMS platforms often feature screens of data grids. Besides lacking visuals, users must jump through multiple screens to complete tasks, hindering their productivity and complicating training, especially for new employees.
TrueLiquid addresses this issue head-on with a modern, intuitive design that is fast and easy to learn. This allows quicker uptime when growing and scaling operations, and employees can be trained quickly to utilize all the system’s features.
One of many valuable features visualizes driver availability with Gantt-style charts. You can see upcoming driver’s shift availability and time-off requests. This simplifies load planning and helps dispatchers quickly make informed decisions.
Mobility is another benefit. The SaaS-based TrueLiquid platform gives fleet managers and frontline users access without needing VPNs. You can log in from any web browser, eliminating connectivity bottlenecks.
The system also excels at capturing order details for error-free planning. It accounts for crucial factors such as temperature sensitivities, customer delivery preferences, and necessary paperwork. Configurable alerts give users timely information to ensure shipments and drivers receive the attention required.
Advanced Route Planning
Freight rates are stumbling while operating costs are rising. Fleets must prevent costly order and delivery planning errors to sustain profitable growth. To this end, TrueLiquid offers advanced route planning algorithms with live tracking updates, providing more accurate, efficient, and error-free scheduling.
Unlike traditional TMS platforms, TrueLiquid provides real-time updates on trip times. This gives dispatchers a holistic view of drivers’ workdays, including estimated drive time to pickup and drop-off locations, loading time, and total trip time. The system alerts dispatchers if they add a trip to a driver’s schedule that exceeds their available service hours.
With this accuracy, load planners and dispatchers can optimally sequence orders to ensure on-time deliveries, safety, and compliance. The level of detail for route planning eliminates the guesswork. Dispatchers can see precise delivery times and routes, allowing them to determine if a driver has enough time in their shift to complete all assigned deliveries.
Forecasting with TrueCast
TrueLiquid’s integrated forecasting model, TrueCast, is a significant leap forward in order and delivery management for fuel and liquid haulers. By modeling static or real-time inventory data, TrueCast helps fleets maximize delivery volumes and efficiencies while meeting customer needs at each location.
The system enables fleets to automatically forecast customer orders and plan deliveries when tank levels reach established re-order points. When customer orders arrive, TrueCast automatically matches the gallons ordered to the requisite amount needed to fill the tanks — and nothing more. This precision helps prevent spills and eliminates instances where gallons remain in delivery vehicles.
TrueCast provides a big-picture view of orders, allowing companies to identify trends and determine if the model considers all necessary factors to create optimal orders by location and customer. The result is fewer deadhead miles, fewer delivery stops, and improved asset utilization.
Intelligent Load Planning
Legacy TMS platforms have critical gaps in load planning functionality for liquid bulk transporters. Users can assign orders to trucks and trailers, but legacy systems typically don’t consider trailer compartment configurations. This oversight can lead to inefficient trailer utilization and increase cross-drop risks.
TrueLiquid addresses this challenge by right-sizing orders for each trailer compartment configuration. The system allows users to assign commodities to trailer compartments and ground tanks at consignees. This detailed load planning process is essential for using trailer space efficiently and reduces the risks of incorrect loading and cross-dropping.
Moreover, TrueLiquid integrates robust real-time tracking features for enhanced fleet visibility and better decision-making. Unlike legacy systems requiring additional licensing for fleet location tracking within the TMS, these features are built into TrueLiquid’s core functionality.
Seamless Integration Capabilities
Integration capabilities are crucial to any modern TMS, and TrueLiquid excels in this area.
System integrations in legacy TMS often require significant customization or development resources. With TrueLiquid, most integrations only require installing a partner extension and entering login credentials. The system handles the rest, allowing for smooth transitions and enhanced functionality. This ease of integration extends to various aspects of operations, including:
- A native driver app for scanning delivery documents and digital invoice creation, eliminating the need for third-party imaging software.
- The driver mobile app has digitized workflows and forms.
- Automated detention time tracking for accurate detention billing.
- Integration with tank monitoring systems for real-time inventory visibility.
As an extension of the TrueTMS platform, TrueLiquid allows customers with diversified operations and assets to manage their entire business through a single system, enjoying seamless data transfer and total visibility.
Driving the Future of Liquid Bulk Logistics
TrueLiquid’s purpose-built design for liquid bulk and fuel haulers is a significant step forward in TMS technology. The intuitive interface, advanced route planning, forecasting capabilities, intelligent load planning, and seamless integration options provide tanker fleets with the tools they need to operate more efficiently and profitably in an increasingly competitive market.
The platform’s built-in flexibility allows companies to meet specific needs and requirements while gaining insights to drive continuous improvement and cost savings. For example, rather than using outdated SQL for database queries, it uses MongoDB to ensure efficient data management, retrieval, flexibility, scalability, and performance.
Furthermore, TrueTMS has an unwavering commitment to continuous platform improvement. New features are added rapidly through customer consultation, ensuring that the software evolves alongside the industry’s needs. Plus, its all-inclusive pricing model is more cost-effective than legacy TMS options and provides an immediate return on investment.
As the liquid bulk logistics sector evolves, TrueLiquid can give fleets a competitive edge to thrive in a high-risk environment.
To experience firsthand how this purpose-built platform can transform your liquid bulk operations, schedule a demo with TrueTMS today. Join the revolution in liquid bulk logistics and be at the forefront of industry innovation.
